Multi-functional disposable separatory funnels

Abstract

This invention incorporates barrel-shaped polymer-structured separatory funnels. The separatory funnels are made from an injection molding machine using cheaper plastic resins such as polypropylene, or polyethylene instead of glass in order to lower costs, so they are ready-to-use and disposable. The innovative separatory funnels have multi-functional features, which can be used as regular separatory funnels for liquid-liquid phase separation and extraction, as receiving receptacles to take the filtrate in a solid-liquid filtration apparatus, and also as flasks hooked in a rotary evaporator to evaporate solvents.

1 . A multi-functional separatory funnel, comprising:
 a separatory funnel body having a top end and a bottom,   a one-way on/off stopcock at the bottom, and   a screw threaded joint at the top end.   
     
     
         2 . The separatory funnel as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a screw threaded cap configured to mate with the screw threaded joint. 
     
     
         3 . The separatory funnel as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the separatory funnel body includes an injection molded polymeric material. 
     
     
         4 . The separatory funnel as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the method of manufacture through injection molding machines includes the steps of A): feeding the polymer resin to a machine through a hopper; B): passing the resin through an injection barrel by gravity through a feed throat; C): upon entrance into the barrel, heating the resin to an appropriate melting temperature; D): injecting the resin into the mold by a reciprocating screw or a ram injector into a mold; E): cooling the mold to a temperature that allows the resin to solidify and be cool to the touch. 
     
     
         5 . The separatory funnel as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the separatory funnel is disposable. 
     
     
         6 . The separatory funnel body as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the separatory funnel body has a barrel-shaped upper portion adjacent to the top end and a cone-shaped lower portion adjacent to the bottom. 
     
     
         7 . The separatory funnel as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the polymeric material of the separatory funnel body and screw threaded cap are made of polypropylene or polyethylene. 
     
     
         8 . The separatory funnel as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the separatory funnel is used for liquid-liquid phase separation and extraction. 
     
     
         9 . The separatory funnel as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the separatory funnel is used as a receiving receptacle to take the filtrate in a solid-liquid filtration apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The separatory funnel as recited in  claim 8 , wherein a polymer-structured adapter is used to couple the separatory funnel to a vacuum take-off adapter. 
     
     
         11 . The separatory funnel as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the adapter includes a screw threaded joint and a ground joint opposite the threaded joint. 
     
     
         12 . The separatory funnel as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the adapter includes a first screw threaded joint and a second screw threaded joint opposite the first screw threaded joint. 
     
     
         13 . The separatory funnel as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the polymeric material of the adapter is selected from the group including polypropylene, polyethylene, fluorinated polyethylene, or polyvinylidene fluoride. 
     
     
         14 . The separatory funnel as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the adapter has a ground joint with size of 14/20, 19/22, 24/40 or 29/42. 
     
     
         15 . The separatory funnel body as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the separatory funnel body has an indent on the upper part, which can be held with a support ring. 
     
     
         16 . A multi-functional separatory funnel, comprising:
 a separatory funnel body with a wide-opened screw threaded joint at the top end and with a male luer-lock joint at the bottom, a one-way on/off stopcock with a female joint, and a screw threaded cap.   
     
     
         17 . The separatory funnel as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the separatory funnel body and the one-way on/off stopcock are manufactured from an injection molding machine, in which their manufacture process are same as in  claim 3 . 
     
     
         18 . The separatory funnel body as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the separatory funnel body has a barrel-shaped upper portion with a cone lower portion. 
     
     
         19 . The separatory funnel as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the separatory funnel body and stopcock is made of polypropylene or polyethylene. 
     
     
         20 . The separatory funnel as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body includes an indent on the top end part configured to be held with a support ring. 
     
     
         21 . A method of manufacturing a separatory funnel comprising:
 feeding a polymer resin into a hopper,   melting the polymer resin,   injecting the polymer resin into a mold including a separatory funnel body having a top end and a bottom, a one-way on/off stopcock at the bottom, and a joint at the top end, and   cooling the polymer resin to form the funnel.   
     
     
         22 . A method of using a separatory funnel comprising applying reduced pressure to an internal volume of the separatory funnel. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein applying reduced pressure includes attaching the separatory funnel to a rotary evaporator to evaporate volatile material. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein a polymer-structured adapter couples the separatory funnel with the rotary evaporator. 
     
     
         25 . The method as recited in  claim 22 , further comprising performing a liquid-liquid phase separation and extraction prior to applying reduced pressure. 
     
     
         26 . The method as recited in  claim 22 , further comprising receiving a filtrate directly from a solid-liquid filtration apparatus into the separatory funnel prior to applying reduced pressure.